Dragon

Dragons are technically were-animals, with a natural ability to shape-shift into other forms. But unlike the other were-animals they have three forms, instead of two; one fully humanoid form, one anthropomorphic - also called half form - and one animal.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dragons have sharp teeth in all three forms and horns of different kinds in half and animal form. Their horns continuously grow throughout their entire lives and it happens that they grow too heavy or too long, and have to be cut off or filed down.
The half form has a slightly elongated and protruding face, longer neck and limbs, double jointed legs with reptilian feet, and a tail.
The animal form has a snake like body and slim reptilian legs.

Biological Traits

Hair

You can find any possible colour, although the colour is a genetic trait. There is also a wide variety of hair types. The hair becomes a mane in anthro and dragon form and runs from the head and all the way to the tip of the tail. Facial hair stay in anthro and animal forms.

Eyes

Colour usually matches the hair, but can be a shade or two different. In humanoid form eyes have slitted pupils and regular sized iris. In anthro form eyes are a proportionally big compared to the face, with slitted pupil and large iris. In animal form the eyes are big, with slitted pupils and only iris. They also have double eyelids.

Ears

In humanoid form ears are very long and pointy. In anthro form ears are slightly more animal and with some mobility. In animal form ears are very mobile and expressive.

Other physical traits

Dragons cannot fly, but similar to cats, they can jump long distances, both vertical and horizontal, and always land on their feet. They are also very good swimmers.

Common magical abilities

• Eemental manipulation: air, fire, metal

• Molecular manipulation: regeneration

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origins: fourth planet, Arpa
Commonly found on: Palir, Arpa and Emandur.
Uncommonly found on: Elu

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

In half and animal form their sense of sight, hearing and smell is higher than in humanoid form.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

About 5% of all dragons are intersex and have two sets of functioning reproductive organs. Such individuals may identify as either male, female, neither or both, and among dragons this is nothing strange as they overall have a rather loose concept of gender binaries.

Average Technological Level

Mobile homes

The half-nomadic lifestyle dragons have kept meant that they developed different ways of moving their homes quickly and efficiently very early. It was easy-to-pitch tents first, and later carts and caravans.
In modern days, urban communities are growing, but a large portion of the dragon populace still lives a rather mobile life.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Long before contact with other planets, Dragons (and Shiva ) had developed something of a uniformed language, written and spoken all over the planet. Local languages and dialects were spoken within tribes and/or regions, and while dialects varied wildly from different places, all tribes could communicate using the uniformed language to make themselves understood.

Common Dress Code

A traditional dragon folk dress has lots of colours and bold patterns, combined with sheer, flowing fabrics in layers. Exact colours, patterns and other decorations differ from each tribe/region, and might also change slightly depending on the occasion.
Wrap pants or skirts are used to make it easier to shift between forms, and men and women tend to dress similarly.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Dragons and Shiva cultures have always been very tightly linked, and the two races have always coexisted.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Most of their traditions revolve around nature and the changing of seasons.

History

Dragons have long lived in smaller half-nomadic tribes, moving around within their territories. They are a generally peaceful people, and disputes between tribes have never really turned into anything bigger. Most tribes have settled disputes through peace talks, using Shiva as an unbiased third party, or through regulated battles or duels.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Dragons and Shiva have kept themselves fairly isolated from the rest of the system for a long time. Large parts of the planet are still off limits to outside people, and few dragons have actually emigrated off the planet. Other humanoid races have started settling on Arpa, but they are still minorities compared to dragons and shiva.

Average Height

women: humanoid: 170-185cm. anthro form: about 20-25% taller + a tail about half of their length. animal: about 1-1.2m high at the shoulder.
men: humanoid: 160-175cm. anthro form: about 20-25% taller + about half of their length long tail. animal: about 1-1.2m high at the shoulder.

Average Length

Fully animal forms are about 2 times the humanoid height in length.

Average Physique

Body shapes are very diverse, but women tend to be a little bigger than men. Hair and eye colour, and the shape of horns are also very diverse, but both horns and hair/eye colours are genetic traits and therefore often telling of an individual's family line.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

In humanoid form, skin tones are medium brown. Both darker and lighter skin colours exist. In half form the skin is scaly, lighter and has a iridescent sheen to it. In animal form they have white iridescent scales.